People come to me with a narrow-minded vision of what they want; most commonly, it’s to lose weight, gain energy and maximise performance. People usually put the weight argument first, assuming that shedding a few pounds will solve literally all their problems; they’ll be more confident, energised, validated and “worthy”. You see? It’s not the weight that’s the problem here is it, it’s the emotional baggage that comes with it.
Which is why, although I consistently talk about the benefits of nutrition and lifestyle to maximise performance, it’s not to achieve an aesthetic outcome, it’s to help tackle these mindset barriers. Alterations in body fat and fitness come as a happy side effect and not as a primary goal most of the time.
As a performance coach for entrepreneurs, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the right mindset can significantly impact health metrics, such as body composition, energy levels, and performance. The reason most entrepreneurs haven’t been successful in the battle of the bulge, is because they’re going about it the wrong way. There are so many tangles in their mindset that need to be addressed FIRST and approaching conventional PTs and nutritionists just doesn’t address this.
The mind and body are inextricably linked, which means that our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes can directly influence our physical health. You only have to do a quick google to see the physical impacts of stress on our longevity and health span. With this in mind, one of the most powerful things we can do, is take control of our mind and see the happy coincidences that follow in our health metrics…
Improving Health Metrics through Mindset
- Believe you are WORTHY. Most entrepreneurs suffer with some degree of imposter syndrome and an associated belief that “I am not WORTH the time you are asking me to spend on my own health.” They put kids, clients and colleagues first, believing this will give them validation and success. Actually, it quickly leads to burnout, dissatisfaction and a downhill spiral.
- Adopt a Growth Mindset. A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work, effort, and perseverance. By embracing a growth mindset, entrepreneurs can view setbacks and challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, ultimately leading to improved health and performance outcomes, instead of the black and white pass/fail beliefs and behaviours that plague so many of us and lead to a tendency to quit early on when it comes to our own lifestyle improvement plans.
- Cultivate Self-Compassion. Entrepreneurs are often their own worst critics. Practicing self-compassion, or treating oneself with kindness and understanding in the face of failure or setbacks, can help foster a healthier mindset and promote resilience in the face of challenges. That said, this needs to be balanced with honesty and accountability to avoid quiet quitting and the ongoing “I’ll do it when…” attitude…
- Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment in a non-judgmental way. By incorporating mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, entrepreneurs can improve their focus, reduce stress, and promote a healthier mindset. The results? More ability to focus on the benefit of individual health in a business and improve productivity as a result.
- Set some goals. You might be great at setting goals for the business, but how well do you apply that same principle to your personal development? How often do you set yourself a real physical or mental challenge and achieve it…? Maybe it’s time to carry over some of your work drive into your own life and notice the difference it makes…
The Impact of Improved Health Metrics on Performance
When you prioritise your health and adopt a mindset that supports well-being, the benefits can be surprisingly wide-ranged and profound in terms of business performance…which is why it always shocks and frustrates me to see so many cast personal health aside in favour of “focusing on the business” – the idea is a juxtaposition! You can’t maximise your performance in business WITHOUT focusing on your own health!
- Enhanced Focus and Productivity: Improved energy levels and mental clarity can lead to increased focus, allowing you to tackle tasks more efficiently and effectively.
- Greater Resilience: A healthy mindset and body can help you better cope with stress, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain motivation in the face of challenges.
- Increased Creativity and Innovation: A healthy body and mind can provide the foundation for enhanced creativity, problem-solving, and innovation – all essential skills for successful entrepreneurs!
- Stronger Relationships: A healthy mindset can lead to improved communication and interpersonal skills, which are crucial for building strong professional and personal relationships.
For entrepreneurs, maintaining health is not a luxury but a necessity – but this needs to happen by tackling the mindset barriers FIRST. By focusing on cultivating a mindset that supports well-being, you can improve your health metrics, ultimately leading to increased performance and success. If you want to see how you measure up in the five pillars of human performance and how this could translate to business and personal success, go check out the FREE super human scorecard, with instant tips on how to start working on areas for improvement, today!